HKTB’s Kenneth Wong: The growing demand is a welcome stimulus for Hong Kong’s economy. Photo Credit: HKTB
The Hong Kong Convention Ambassador (HKCA) programme has enhanced the city’s business events links with the Greater Bay Area (GBA) to bring in key business events.
The HKCA programme, which was launched in 2020, has seen industry leaders bringing some 40 events to Hong Kong. This year, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) appointed 140 industry leaders from Hong Kong and Mainland China, marking the HKCA programme’s inaugural expansion into Mainland China.
Kenneth Wong, GM, MICE & Cruise of HKTB, said “The formulation of the ambassador programme gives Hong Kong an edge in securing world-class conventions. We are very grateful for the support from local leaders, as well as our mainland counterparts. With close collaboration, we can showcase Hong Kong’s unique role as a super-connector and a MICE hub of the GBA to capture boundless opportunities for business events.”
Recent new convention wins across different industry sectors include I&T, medical, financial services, and education planning professionals. Wong said, “The growing demand is providing a welcome stimulus for Hong Kong’s economy. Thanks to Hong Kong’s leading status across various industries and tremendous opportunities brought by the Greater Bay Area (GBA), we are delighted that Hong Kong further strengthens its status as the world’s meeting place and remains a top choice among convention organisers.”
EDGE Global AI and Web3 events Investment Summit 2023
One of this year’s major wins is the EDGE Global AI and Web3 events Investment Summit 2023 under the I&T sector. The first edition of this event will be hosted in September 2023 and is expected to bring in 10,000 visitors. This win followed the city’s recent hosting of several Web3 events, including FOMO Asia Genesis Conference and WOW Summit 2023.
With earlier editions in Dubai and Lisbon, WOW Summit Hong Kong became a flagship, full-scale Web3 event in the region in 2023. The conference hosted over 5,000 attendees from 29-30 March at AsiaWorld-Expo. WOW Hong Kong was supported by Invest Hong Kong and HKTB and co-hosted by the blockchain ecosystem players – Uvecon, MaGESpire.
The founder of MaGESpire, Bowie Lau, said: “Hong Kong, as the home ground to the world’s largest Web3 Gaming and Metaverse players, has always treaded with cautious optimism when it comes to crypto and Web3, and largely avoided the fallout of the Crypto Winter. But with an increasingly supportive regulatory stance and the open embrace of Metaverse, Hong Kong is positioned well to re-claim its leadership in the Web3 space!”
The Web3 is industry is booming in Hong Kong, drawing top industry leaders, developers, startups, VCs, funds, corporates, and creators. The transition from Web2 to Web3, from centralised services to decentralised, is occurring despite the global recession, crypto winter, and uncertainty.
Ander Tsui, organiser of EDGE Global AI & Web3 Investment Summit 2023, co-chairman of Hong Kong Blockchain Association, chairman of EDGE Summit Committee and founder of VertexLabs said, “Hong Kong is simply a world-class stage for Web3 and artificial intelligence events and beyond. Not only does it draw global venture capitals, investment institutions, and enthusiasts from across the globe, but it also serves as the perfect gateway to the dynamic GBA. We look forward to seeing our high-octane event debut in Hong Kong.”
Insights Asia 2023 Conference
Another win, the Insurtech Insights Asia 2023 Conference, which will take place in December 2023 with an expected attendance of 3,000 – highlights the city’s strong fundamentals, international business connections, as well as government support in the insurance, insurtech and I&T sectors. The event will be the largest pan-Asia insurance and insurtech conference that will gather insurance executives, entrepreneurs, and investors by providing knowledge, inspiration and networking opportunities.
Strong medical convention line-up in 2023
This year, the medical sector has taken the lion’s share of conventions, including the 44th Asia Pacific Dental Congress 2023 in June and the 16th Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society Scientific Session, together with CardioRhythm, in September 2023.
Nelson Wong, Hong Kong Convention Ambassador, president of the Asia Pacific Dental Federation and president of the Hong Kong Dental Association said, “The 44th Asia Pacific Dental Congress 2023 was a great success with the dedicated support from the HKTB. We are proud to play a part and strive for excellence in making Hong Kong a premier destination for international dental congresses.”